Help me put together a 40s outfit for a school do for under £20

[lyrabelacqua]

DP and I are going to a forties night at ds1's school next week and I'm not sure what sort of outfit to wear. I was thinking a nice dress and a little clutch bag maybe. Belt, shoes? I'm clueless about the 40s.
also dp needs an outfit. Was thinking something military.

someone must know about the 40s.

Have you thought of trying a fancy dress place? We have used a local am dram theatre a few times. It only cost about £15 quid and you get proper original stuff. Quite a good laugh trying it all on! Not sure where you live but in Manchester the Royal Exchange theatre is great for hiring. Otherwise what about a little black dress and some 40's accessories, feather boa, long beads etc.
Good luck - have a great time xx

thick belt and clunky shoes. concentrate more on hair (put in curlers) and make up (lots!)

boa & beads are 20s, not 40s!

shirt dress (eg last year's £10 Primark one) with belt
hair rolled at temples
red red lipstick
clutch bag
heels

DH could wear any suit, or you could have a rummage in an army surplus shop, but easiest way to do instant 40s on the cheap is a sleeveless tanktop over shirt & tie with suit trousers and Brylcreem hair.

A fitted dress with a belt, small flowers if poss. mary jane shoes or lace
up brogues, but they need a heel. Keep legs bare but fake tan and draw seam up the backs with eyeliner. if you have a suitable square box, stick some string to the sides and sling it across you - gas mask box.

you could also stick a big lily in your hair for added effect (doesn't look as bad as it sounds!)

remind me what's 40s about a big lily?
(genuinely don't get this one)

i don't know but my sister goes to 40s clubs and always wears a big flower in her hair!

Hi lyrabelacqua

I'm going to the same party? Is your little one in Rainbow or reception? My DS is in reception and I've a DD too who is too little for school; I'm bought something off of ebay for me and DH. Type in tea dress in ebay and you get loads. PM me if you feel like chatting!!!
A

sort of like this i suppose it was a cheap way to glam up

try looking here search.ebay.co.uk/dress-40s_W0QQfcclZ1QQfclZ4QQfnuZ1QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsatitleZdressQ2040Q27s

They have lots of 40's style dresses for around £5

this was the Primark one I meant

Oooh, thanks for the replies, there are some great ideas here.
Aznerak, ds is in reception. We must be at the same school!

oooh. which class or would that we telling???

You tell me first.

yellow.....you???

Me too.

Can you guess who I am?
You're B's mum aren't you?

Think I am there....H's mum???

I'll keep stum if you will!

Found anything to wear yet? My Dh is going as a spiv/gangster type chap and me? Well, you'll have to wait and see!!

Yup, that's me.
DP wants to go military. they've got a great outfit in the costume shop but it's £40 to hire, which is a bit on the pricey side for one night.

CHARITY SHOP

all those old ladies' wardrobe clear outs

What size are you love got a 40's black silk dress that I wore to one last year its a 18 but will send it to you if wanted.

Thanks shoshable, that's a very kind offer but I'm a 12.
I'll try eBay tonight and the charity shops tomorrow.

Asda have a beige (military esque)shift dress, almost empire line which would very much fir the bill. It's only about £15 or something close.
You could accessorise that a bit.

"In 1940 a Purchase Tax was levied on clothing and prices rose sharply as raw material supplies dwindled with the onset of war and clothing manufactories switched to ammunitions work. By 1941 the Government had decided to ration clothing and issued clothing coupons to every family and individual in the country. Raw materials were in ever shorter supply because of the Government demand for uniforms for Armed Services personnel. As a result the Government introduced Utility clothing, simply styled functional clothing made with a minimum of raw materials. It was dubbed the first civilian uniform and came on the market in 1942. Skirts and dresses were straight and knee length, and pleats were restricted; jackets short and box shaped and allowed no more than three buttons. Unnecessary frills and trimmings were forbidden. Silk or nylon stockings were not available. National need, as in the Great War, meant the end of an era for women's fashions."